Move to Safety and Assess Hazards
Turn on your hazard lights and move out of the travel lane immediately if you can do so safely. Truck accidents on St. Louis interstates and freight corridors create serious secondary hazards — watch for spilled cargo, fuel or hydraulic fluid leaks, and hazmat placards on the trailer. If you see a placard indicating hazardous materials, stay upwind and well away from the vehicle until first responders arrive. Do not approach the truck cab.
Call 911 — Tell Dispatch It Involves a Commercial Vehicle
Request police and EMS immediately. Tell the dispatcher it is a commercial truck collision — this ensures the appropriate responders are sent, including hazmat units if needed. On Missouri interstates, the Missouri State Highway Patrol typically responds; on city streets, SLMPD or St. Louis County Police will respond. Ask the investigating officer for the crash report number before leaving the scene, and follow up to obtain the full written report.
Collect Driver, Carrier, and Vehicle Information
Trucking cases involve more parties than a typical car accident. Collect everything you can at the scene:
- Driver's full name, phone number, and CDL (Commercial Driver's License) number
- Trucking company or carrier name and their address
- USDOT number and MC number — found on the cab door or trailer side
- Tractor unit number and trailer unit number (usually stenciled on the equipment)
- License plate numbers for both tractor and trailer
- Insurance company and policy number (the carrier's, not the driver's personal policy)
- Names and contact information of all witnesses
- If it's a leased truck or broker arrangement, note any additional company names on paperwork or the trailer
Photograph Everything — Truck Details Are Critical Evidence
- Wide shots of the full crash scene — lane positions, skid marks, debris field, and the road corridor
- Traffic signals, signage, and any posted speed or weight restrictions
- Close-ups of the USDOT/MC numbers, carrier name, and unit numbers on the cab and trailer
- All trailer placards or hazmat labels
- Underride guard, override damage, or any points of impact between your vehicle and the truck
- Tire condition on the truck — blowouts and tread separation are common causes of commercial vehicle crashes
- Cargo load and any visible spills or shifting freight
- Your vehicle damage from all angles, and your visible injuries
- Any nearby traffic cameras, MoDOT cameras, or business surveillance cameras — these are time-sensitive and must be requested quickly
Seek Medical Evaluation Immediately
The force involved in a commercial truck collision is vastly greater than a standard car accident. Internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and organ damage may not produce immediate symptoms. Go to an emergency room the same day — do not wait. Tell providers it was a commercial truck collision so the injury mechanism and forces involved are documented in your medical chart. This documentation directly affects the value of your claim. Keep all ER paperwork, imaging reports, discharge instructions, and specialist referrals.
Preserve Evidence — Trucking Data Disappears Fast
Commercial trucks generate electronic and paper records that carriers are not required to keep indefinitely — and some begin overwriting within days of a crash. An attorney can send a spoliation letter demanding preservation of all records. Critical trucking evidence includes:
- ELD data (Electronic Logging Device) — federally mandated since 2017; records hours of service, speed, and location in real time
- ECM/black box data — engine control module records braking, speed, throttle, and RPM in the seconds before impact
- Dashcam footage — many carriers run forward and driver-facing cameras; footage is typically overwritten in 72 hours
- Driver's hours of service logs for the 7 days preceding the crash — FMCSA regulations cap driving hours and mandate rest breaks
- Drug and alcohol post-accident test results (federally required for crashes meeting certain injury/damage thresholds)
- Maintenance and inspection records for the tractor and trailer
- Dispatch communications, route manifests, and bill of lading
- The driver's employment and training records, including prior violations
Notify Your Insurer — Be Cautious with the Carrier's Adjuster
Report the crash to your own auto insurer promptly. Your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply if the carrier's policy limits are insufficient for your injuries — a real concern in catastrophic truck accident cases. When the trucking carrier's insurer contacts you, understand that their adjusters are trained to investigate and minimize claims on behalf of the carrier, not on your behalf. Providing a recorded statement without first consulting an attorney can significantly harm your case.
Consult a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer Promptly
Commercial trucking cases involve federal motor carrier regulations (49 CFR), multiple potentially liable parties — the driver, the carrier, a broker, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor — and insurers with experienced defense teams who begin their investigation immediately. Missouri's pure comparative fault rules mean carriers will look for any evidence of shared fault to reduce their exposure. Alvin Wolff Jr. has concentrated in personal injury cases throughout St. Louis City and St. Louis County for over 46 years, including complex commercial vehicle claims tried at the circuit court level.
